Tavares (oblique) out at least three weeks

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without the services of captain John Tavares for at least three weeks with an oblique strain, head coach Sheldon Keefe announced on Tuesday.

Tavares, 32, is headed into his fifth season with the team.

Sheldon Keefe says John Tavares has an oblique strain and is out a minimum of 3 weeks.

He appeared in 79 games last year, scoring 29 goals and adding 49 assists. The Mississauga, Ont. native has three years remaining on a seven-year, $77 million deal with the team.

Tavares played 17:14 in a 4-1 split-squad victory over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday afternoon, registering a shot on goal.

The team opens its 2022-2023 campaign on Oct. 12 with a visit to the Montreal Canadiens.

Its exhibition campaign continues on Wednesday with a visit from the Habs at Scotiabank Arena.